"Orientation Leaders Reunion" at
A&M International January 6

Texas A&M International University's former and current
Orientation Leaders will gather at the University's Great Room
Saturday, January 6, at 7 p.m., for a reunion.

Themed "Reflections," the event will enable the
University's past and present Orientation Leaders to come
together and dialog about their experiences.

Gabriela Mendoza-Garcia, Associate Director of Student
Development at A&M International, said Orientation Leaders
help new students make the transition into life at Texas' newest
four-year University.

"The first semester at a University can be daunting, so
an entertaining, informative Orientation program was developed to
help new students make a smooth transition into University life.
This new student Orientation includes extensive involvement by
University faculty, staff, and administrators, but the program
itself is conducted by carefully selected student leaders who
understand what it is like to be a new student," explained
Mendoza-Garcia.

She noted that through the years, Orientation Leaders have
helped hundreds of new students.

"Our new student Orientation has been very successful
because participants understand that they are hearing from
individuals who know what it's like, who 'have walked in their
shoes.' By seeing the University through their peers' eyes, new
students can more rapidly get a handle on how they can succeed in
their effort to secure a four-year University education,"
she said.

The evening event will include a dinner, a presentation of
photographs complied from each Orientation, a fashion show
featuring the five different Orientation Leader uniforms from
1995 to 2000, and a dance. About 80 participants are expected to
take part in the event.

Among the University administrations who are scheduled to
speak at the dinner are Dr. Ray M. Keck III, Provost and Vice
President for Academic Affairs; Mary T. Treviņo, Associate Vice
President for Student Services; Betty L. Momayezi, Executive
Director of Student Life, David VerMilyea, Director of Student
Development, and Lisa Morales, Director of Development.

Mendoza-Garcia noted that much of the reunion event has been
designed by this year's Orientation Leaders.

"This is an impressive opportunity for our former
Orientation Leaders to visit the campus and see how the
Orientation program and the University have grown and changed.
Our current Orientation Leaders have worked diligently in
preparing an engaging and entertaining program, which we feel
will be much appreciated by our guests and participants,"
said Mendoza-Garcia.